Play it Forward Fellowship
Publishing Ireland was privileged to join the closing event for Skein Press’ excellent ‘Play it Forward‘ fellowship programme which supports and nurtures writers that have traditionally been underrepresented in Irish publishing and literature. Hosted on Saturday 6th May in Carmichael House, Dublin 7, attendees included: project founder Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, the graduation fellows, programme partner The Stinging Fly and a number of representatives from cultural and literary organisations. Following a lively discussion and review of the programme, expertedly facilitated by Noeleen Hartigan, the six graduating Play It Forward fellows were presented with their certificate of completion by the Director of the Arts Council, Maureen Kennelly. A comprehensive evaluation of the pilot Play It Forward Fellowships programme was conducted in 2023. The final report and findings is available here, as well as a detailed Phase I report encompassing the outreach and selection process, accessible here.
PI President, Caoimhe Fox, said ‘Skein Press are a valued member of Publishing Ireland and I was privileged to attend this important milestone in the ‘Play it Forward’ programme’. Diversity and Inclusion is a key priority for us now, and into the future, and we look forward to exploring how we can develop and support similar initiatives across the publishing sector in Ireland’.
Demonstrating the positive outlook for the programme participants, a number of recently published books by Play It Forward programme fellows were available for purchase on the day including ‘Conversations about Activism and Change‘ edited by Sarah Fitzgerald (Martello Books) and ‘The Book of Trivialities‘, a collection of translated poems by Majed Mujed, trans Kareen James Abu-Zeid (Skein Press).
Mahito Henderson, Publishing Officer of Skein Press, said ‘Skein Press would like to thank everyone who came to the closing event of the Play It Forward Fellowship Programme and for the important discussions about the impact of the programme and the incredible success of our fellows. The programme aims to nurture and amplify the talents of writers whose voices and stories have traditionally been underrepresented in Irish literature and publishing.
A special thank you to Noeleen Hartigan, Maureen Kennelly and our generous funders, the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth/An Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtiochta agus Öige and the Independent Living Movement Ireland. Read more on the fellowship below.’
